North of the Triborough Bridge, and South of Ditmars Boulevard is a good bet if you want a quiet, conservative, more family-oriented and more European feel. Broadway, Steinway or the area around Kaufman Astoria Theaters are good bets for younger people who want at livelier, noisier area with plenty of nightlife. The area around Ditmars has the most convenient shopping, doctors and transportation and would be particularly good for elderly or physically limited people. I've lived in the area for nearly 50 years and my parents and grandparents lived here also.

Stay east of 21st is a good rule of thumb. You avoid projects, stinky sanitation parking areas, and h00ker prowling areas. Stay North of Broadway, as that is the more hopping area, but also only as far North as Ditmars.

Move out when you have kids. Its just too much like cramped like Manhatten for kids, with fewer parks.

Realtors are not allowed to comment on neighborhoods or school districts...it is against our rules and regulations.

I don't believe you will ever find anywhere that is without some sort of problem.

My husband was raised in Astoria and we still own the two-family. Since the 1950's, we had one break in. We as homeowners, not Realtors, have always loved the area and have never thought of selling.

You have to be comfortable with where you move...One place may be comfortable for me, but you may hate it. Please make your own decisions after making your own investigations.